Method and apparatus for decorating pottery ware



March 30, 1948. w. J, M|| ER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECORATING POTTERY WARE 1941 7 SheeLs-SheeI 1 Filed Aug. 21

INVENTOR. WILLIAM d. MILLER ATTORNS.

March 30, 1948. w. J. MnLLER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECORATING POTTERY WARE Filed Aug. 21. 1941 7 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR.

WILL/AM d. MILLER NEW March 30, 1948. w, J. M|| ER 2,438,514

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECORATING POTTERY WARE Filed Aug- 21,1941 7 sheets-sheet 3 WILL IAM d. MILLER March 30, 1948. w. J. MILLER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECORATING POTTERY WARE Filed Aug. 21, 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

WILL/AM d. MILLER BY f7# March 30, 1948. w, J, MULLER 2,438,514

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECORATING POTTERY WARE Filed Aug. 21, 1941 l 'r sheets-sheet 5 fw. Y l

:L- mwsNToR.v

WILLIAM nl. Mel-ER March-3G, 1948. w. J. MILLER METHOD AND APPARATUS Eon DECORATING POTTERY WARE Filed Aug. 2]., 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

WLLAM J. `VLL? ,ATTORX .EER

March 30 1948- w. J. MILLER 2,438,514

ETHOD D `APPARATUS FOR DECORATING POTTERY WARE Filed Aug. T21, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 y INVENTOR .GJZ- WILLIAM ...1; MILLER BY fw- Patented Mar. 30, r1948 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECORAT- ING POTTERY WARE William J. Miller, Swissvale, Pa., assignor to Miller Pottery Engineering ompany, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 21, 1941, Serial No. 407,733

19 Claims.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for decorating pottery ware. It has to do with applying decalcomania and the like to pottery ware, particularly table ware, such as, plates, cups and saucers and other forms of hollow ware or at ware.

It has been customary to apply decalcornania by hand, the transfers being first cutout of large sheets of paper on which the designs were originally printed. In the case of border decorations, these transfers were applied segmentally to the previously sized ware andV tted together by hand. The pigment was smoothed out and .aixed to the ware by brushing and the paper backing subsequently soaked off and the ware dried and iired. y Except for tting up the segments, it was just as laborious and exacting to apply single decorations, for instance center ornament on plates. In either event, great skill and patience was required to properly apply the transfer.

One object of this invention is to eliminate the need for skilled labor in decorating pottery ware and to substitute therefore automatic procedure and apparatus requiring unskilled labor. Another object of this invention is to place pottery decorating on a mass production basis wherein the decoration as well as the production may be diversified. A further object is to automatically handleA and process the ware from the time it is delivered to the decorating conveyor until the dried decorated product is discharged into a receiving device preparatory to firing.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of one form of apparatus for carrying out the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan View of the decoration applying apparatus.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2, with parts omitted and parts broken away.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the section line 4-4 of Fig. 2, showing most of the parts of the decoration applying station in elevation with some parts broken away and in section.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, in the direction of arrow 5.

Fig. 6 is a detail elevation of the side of apparatus of Fig. 2, opposite that of Fig. 5, illustrating the ware-carrier advancing mechanism, with parts omitted and others broken away,

Fig. 7 is another detail elevation of the side of apparatus of Fig. 2, opposite tothat of Fig. 5, illustrating the mechanism for intermittently feeding transfer paper through the decoration applying station, with other parts being omitted.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail, partly in section, showing the applicator head applying the transfer to the ware.

Fig. 9 is a detail in perspective of the platen and cooperating hold down bars.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line Ill- I0 of Fig. 4, illustrating the ware holding chucks and means for rotating same, with parts omitted and others broken away.

Fig. 11 is a view of four transfer segments arranged in a flat plane to describe a ring.

Fig. 12 is a view in perspective of the transfer segments arranged edge to edge and describing a conical plane conforming with the verge of a disc-like object.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of a disc-like object having a flat verge.

Fig. 14 shows a center decoration applied to a disc-like article.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the size applying apparatus in section and including the operating and supplyingY means therefor,

Fig. 16 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 8, but illustrating another form of applicator head with the controlling means therefor.

Fig. 17 is a detail sectional view of another form of the invention for decorating hollow ware, especially concerned with the applicator head and ware support.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken on the line |8-l8 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a sectional detail of another form of size applying apparatus.

Fig. 20 is a view showing how the exact shape of an arcuate transfer segment is determined to conform to a conical or sloping verge of a plate.

Fig. 21 is a sectional detail of another formv of the applicator head shown in Fig. 16.

Referring to Fig, 1, the apparatus has an elongated frame i with idler sprockets 3 at each end supporting a double strand endless conveyor 2.

Connected between the chains and equally spacedtherealong are ware carriers 4 in the form of trays having spaced thereacross in staggered relation open-bottomed ware positioning seats 5A `adapted to accommodate such disc-like articles as plates and saucers. These seats of each carrier, in the form shown, vary in size and together with those of the other carriers, to provide three lines or zones of production A, B and C capable of handling various sizes of the Ware. Obviously all lines may be set up to accommodate the same size ware.

- The upper' run of the conveyor moves from right to left (see Fig. 1) and, as each tray is advanced into the upper level by the conveyor, it is brought under a ware feed magazine 6 having suitable ware releasing mechanism (not shown) controlled by a lever 1 and actuated or tripped by member 8 on the carrier thereby releasing and depositing a single piece of ware in each seat of a ware carrier 4. Upon the next movement of theconveyor, the ware pieces-are brought under a size applicator 9 which is loweredinto contact with the plate to apply the size and then raised. Each applicator is in the form of a hollow head having a perforated bottom portion conforming generally to the face of the ware and having a facing II Figure 15 of porous resilient material, such as felt, also conforming to the ware face.

The size is supplied to the head 9 as it is raised from a supply tank I2 by way of a force-feed charging and measuring device I4 for determining the proper amount of size to be supplied to the head 9. Generally, the charging device is in the form of a pump havingl a check valve controlled outlet I5, see Fig. 15, connected with the head 9 through a flexible conduit I6 and having a check valve controlled inlet I1 connected with the bottom of the supply tank through a conduit I8. The felt facing becomes saturated with size and when pressed against the ware leaves a nlm of size on the surface thereof. The pump replenishes the size absorbed from the chamber by the felt.

The pump I4 is more fully described in my Patent No. 2,046,525 of July 7, 1936, and will only be brieily described herein. It comprises, Fig. 15, an upright cylindrical casing i9 within whose bottom end the outlet I5 and inlet are located. Within the casing i9 operates a piston 2li secured to the bottom end of a piston rod 2|, which is reciprocated by having a sliding pivotal connection with the free end of a lever 22 operated in turn by a cam 23 on a continuously rotating shaft 24, for raising and lowering lever 22. The shaft 24 completes one revolution for each movement of the conveyor 2 and is so timed that it will cause the piston to raise and draw into the chamber portion therebelow a given amount of size from the tank I2 as the applicator head 9 is lowered and whereby the piston will be lowered as the head 9 is raised to force the measured quantity of size in the pump chamber into the head 9. To regulate the range of reciprocation of the piston 20 in determining the desired quantityof size to be drawn by the piston into the pump chamber and then fed to the head 9, the lever 22 has an adjustable set screw 26 which limits the downward movement of the lever by engaging one of four adjustable stops or bolts 21 equally spaced nected by a conduit 39 to the outlet of the pump 35 and has a pair of outlets 49 and 4I in its opposite ends connected by conduits 42 and 43 to the opposite ends of the chamber of the cylinder 34. A valve member 44 operates within the valve cylinder 31 with a single port 45 therein alternately establishing communication between the inlet 38 and the outlets 40 and 4I to cause reciprocation of the piston 33. Suitable vent ports 46 and 41 `are provided in the valve cylinder 31 and valve member 44 respectively to properly vent opposite end portions of the cylinder 34 during operation.

Generally, the valve member 44 is operated by a cam 48 on a constantly rotating shaft 49 and arranged to alternately engage rollers. 50 provided on the sides of the head 5I of the valve member. The head 5I has a longitudinal slot 52 through which the shaft 49 freely'extends. A spring 5Ia is connected to the head 5I and the cylinder housing 31 for an obvious purpose.

If desired, the size may be sprayed onto the surface of the ware by means of a spray gun 9a, see Fig. 19, which may be intermittently operated by such a suitable cam actuated slide valve de`v vice as just described.

After the sizing operation, the ware is transported by the trays through a drying chamber or tunnel 52' of sufficient length to provide for curing the size to optimum tackiness. Dry, warm air is circulated through the chamber and is preferably first drawn over heat radiating means, and then blown into the chamber through ducts 53 provided therein, as shown in Fig. 1.

Upon leaving the drying chamber, the trays carry the ware to the decorating station where, in the present form of the invention, the face oi' the verge of theA disc-like ware is decorated. To this end, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the decorating The star wheel 28 is rotated a quarter turn for every complete revolution of-the shaft 24 by a lever 29 on said shaft having a pin 30 operating in one of the radial slots 3I formed ln the points of the wheel. When the production in a particular line or lines is non-diversified, then as in the present case, the stops 21 areadjusted uniformly about the axis of the wheel v29. Thus each stroke delivers the-same quantityof size. However, if the production is diversied, the stops 21 may be adjusted at different heights `irom the axis 'of the wheel 29 in order to regulate the range of reciprocation of the piston 20 and varying quantities of size will be delivered according to the requirements oi' the various pieces in sequence ciprocation between suitable guide portions 58.v

Ware supporting chucks 59 are mounted on top of the crosshead, one for each line of production,

and arranged across the head in conformity with the seats`5 of the trays 4 so as to register therewith. Each chuck includes a cavitous chuck member 60, Fig. 3, provided with a threaded depending stem 6I threaded into a anged adjustment bushing 62 removably and rotatably socketed on a hollow supporting pedestal 63 bolted onto the crosshead. 'e Dierent size chucks may be easily replaced by simply removing one and substituting another. By rotating the bushing 62, the chuck may be adjusted for height, Within the cavity of the chuck member 63 is an an nular molded 'rubber insert or liner 64 whose upper surface 65 is shaped to snugly t the uril v derside of. the rim or verge'. of the ware. purpose of the insert is to provide aresilient support forthe ware capable of .having uniform pressure engagement therewith about the axis thereof, and that will yield slightly if the ware vis lslightly warped and whereby the ware will be held firmly against displacement or slippage as the chuck is turned during the decorating operation.

Generally. when each tray is brought over the chucks 59, the chucks are raised by the cross- 61 provided in the crosshead. When the crosshead is raised, the vacuum passage is brought into connection with a vacuum pump 68 by the other end of said passage registering with a port 69 in one of the guide portions 58 of the frame members and connected to the pump by a conduit 10. As the crosshead is finally lowered, the vacuum passage is vented by registering with a vent port 1| formed in said guide portion 58, whereby the ware may be readily released from the chuck and again placed upon its seat on the tray.

During initial downward movement of the chucks, they are rotated a quarter of a turn. This operation is completed four times while the tray is caused to dwell and'after each turn of the ware when same is raised, a quarter segment of an annular decorative design is applied to the verge of the ware by the application of decalcomania transfer sections, as will be later described.

For intermittently rotating the chucks, each chuck member 60 has a circumferential row of ratchet teeth 12 engaged by a spring Dressed pawl 13, Fig. l0, pivotally mounted on a swinging arm 14 having an enlarged pivot ring 18 oscillatably mounted upon the pedestal 88. All three chucks are simultaneously turned by a reciprocating shifter rod 18 having three links 11 pivotally connected therewith and with the swinging arms 14. Each swinging arm 14l has a series of pivot apertures 18 spaced therealong for adjusting its pivotal connection with its rerespective link 11, to determine the degree of rotation to be imparted thereby to its respective chuck.

As seen in Fig, 4, the shifter rod is slidably guided in bearings 18 on the crosshead and has one end in sliding pivotal connection with the top end of an oscillatable lever 80. The lever 80 is pivoted to the frame, as at 8|, and is moved in one direction by a cam 82 on shaft 58 against the tension of returnl spring 84. 'An adjustable stop 88, in the form of a s et screw, 'limits the travel of the shifter bar 18 to enable adjustment of the degree of chuck rotation, After each quarter turn of the chucks, they are held in place by a spring pressed holding dog 85 arranged to engage the ratchet teeth 12 of the chuck, The cam 82 is so formed and rotated that the chucks and ware will receive the desired rotation before the ware is lowered into the seats of the trays during each reciprocation of the crosshead, and whereby four quarter turns will be imparted to the ware intermittently between movements of the conveyor.

Where a single decoration is to be applied in the center of the ware, as shown at l1. Fig. 14, rotation of the ware may be dispensed with. Also, if the ware has a fiat verge, as shown at 88 in Fig. 13, rotation of the ware may or may not be dispensed with, as a number of transfer segments or a single one may be employed to form a decoration on such a verse.

As illustrated, the decoration applying apparatus is arranged to cut the transfers from a parent roll of transfer designs and appliI them progressively onto disc-like objects, or plates, having a conical or inwardly sloping verge 90 (see Fig. 3) to ornament the verge, such as shown at 88 in Fig. 14. To this end, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, spaced above the chucks and supported between the side frame members 51 is a cutter plate 9| upon which is supported an intermittently advanced elongated length of transfer .paper 92. The paper 82 is fed from a supply roll93 thereof wound upon a reel 94 whose shaft 94a is detachably supported in bearings 95 on the side frames I. After passing over the cutter plate, the transfer paper is wound upon a reel 98 whose shaft 88a is detachably supported in bearings 91 and 98 of the frames I.

Printed on the underside of the transfer paper are three longitudinal rows of quarter` transfer segments 99 of decorative designs formed, respectively, in accordance with the various sizes 'of plates held by the chucks. The transfer segments of the middle row are curved oppositely to those of the outer rows to reduce the size of the sheet 92, economizel on paper and to enable corn pactness of the cutting mechanism, as will be apparent later.

After each movement of the transfer paper, a transverse row of transfer segments will be brought into registry over the verges of the plates held by the chucks, respectively. When so positioned, each transfer segment is cut from the sheet by a hollow, vertically reciprocating cutter head |00 cooperating with the cutter plate 9| and then applied to the verges of the .plates by a vertically reciprocating applying plunger head |0| operating within the cutter head, as more fully kdescribed later.

Just prior to being advanced under the cutting and applying heads, the transfer paper may, if desired, be moistened to increase its deformability and/or loosen the pigment from the paper. This is accomplished by providing one or more water spraying nozzles |a over the sheet adjacent the supply reel 94, connected with a water supply conduit |001), as shown in Fig. 1.

The transfer paper is intermittently advanced in accordance with the spacing of the transfer segments -by reciprocating pawls |02 having a multiple of ratchet-like teeth |08, engaging a multiple of marginal perforations |04 of the paper, so as to distribute the pull and avoid tearing nthe paper between the perforations. As seen in `the levers. The lever extension |08 is resiliently held in engagement with the cam |05 by a suitable tensio'n spring H0.

To regulate the amount of intermittent movement of the transfer paper, each pawl has an adjustable lost motion connection with its respective lever |08. For this purpose, each' pawl has an elongated slot lll within which is received a pivot rod H2 on the free ends of the levers. To regulate the range of movement of the rod H2 in the slot of each pawl, in order to effect the desired lost motion, a stop in the form of a. screw I i4 is threaded into the end of the pewl and extended into the slot. The toothed head is ensassari In regard to cutting out transfers; it will be un derstood that this invention comprehends vthe application of border decoration as well as center decoration to fiat ware. There are various forms of border decoration, for instance, the decoration may be continuous as a circle or a band or it may be a group of interlocked designs extending around 360 of the border. Again, said border ldecoration may consist of individual figures spaced from one another and the spacing may be :mail or it may be large.

l prefer to cut out the transfers in vertical registry with the place on the article where it is to be received. Furthermore, I prefer to apply the transfer immediately it is cut out to the article by an axially moving implement, The invention comprehends the application of a decoration in its entirety at one and the same time and it also comprehends the application of a complete decoration in segments.

Each transfer, whether a segment of a larger design, or the design in its entirety, is positioned over the ware where it registers over a slot or opening IIS in the plate ai. From the foregoing discussion, it will be Aclear that the shape of the opening will be determined by such factors as the segmental or whole character of the decoration. For instance, where a border decoration is being applied to a plate as illustrated in Fig. 14, the slot or opening is arcuate in shape and said opening approximates a quarter section of the verge which indicates that the border decoration is of the continuous variety such as a band or circle or the like. Should the decoration be made up of individual figures separated by white space, then the length of the slot or opening H5 might be less than the quarter section shown. If a center decoration such as that shown in the center of the plate of Fig. 14 is being applied in its entirety to an article, then the opening might be circular. Moreover, if the verge of the plate is of polygonal shape, then the opening would approximate a parallelogram. Thus, it will be seen that there are many shapes and sizes of opening which may be utilized and I am not to be limited to the exact shapes shown.

In the present showing where the border of the ware is being decorated, the. opening is preferably slightly larger than the transfer segments to be cut thereby to permit employment of a face on the applying head covering the outermost margins of the decoration and allow clearance for the cutter head |00 to move between the margin of the opening and the applying head |0|. By provid-ing full coverage for the applicator head, the size never comes in contact with it and th'erei'ore the head remains dry and clean at 'all times.

In order to hold the transfer paper, or sheet 92, taut while the transfer segments are being cut, a pair of spaced hold down bars '|i1 and lil are provided, Fig. 9, which are arranged over the opposite curved cutting edge portions of the open#- ings I i of the cutter plate yand contoured in accordance therewith. The hold down bars have a resilient facing ||9 Figure 9, of felt or' the like and are lowered onto the transfer sheet and firmly hold same down on the cutter plate during the cutting operation, as shown in Fig. 3. They are raised oil the sheet after the cutting and applying operation, prior to each advancement of the transfer sheet. f

To support and actuate the hold down bars |1 v and H8, the cutter head |00 and the applying -in apertures |36 in the flange.

head |0|, a crosshead |20`\is provided. It comprises a rectangular frame within which is se" cured three spaced parallel bars |2I, the frame being raised and lowered between guides |22 of the frame members 51. The cutter heads |00 are suspended from theouter bars |2| of the crosshead |20 by means of upright bolts |23 on the cutter head freely extending through bearing openings |24 in the bars, with a nut |25 on the top end of each bolt to engage the bar in raising the cutterl head upon raising of.' the crosshead'. The cutter head is limited for downward movement by having depending adjustable stops |26, infthe form of bolts, which engage the cutter plate 9| in the lowered position of the cutter head. The opposite sides of each cutter head |00 has guide portions |21 working within guideways |28 in cross pieces |29 extending between the side frame members 51.

Each cutter head comprises a hollow cutting die part i'30 formed to cooperate with its respective opening i l5 in the cutter plate 9| in cutting the segments from the transfer sheet. when the head is lowered, with the cutting edge |3I of the die inclined from one corner of the die to the opposite one to produce .a shearing cut; as shown in Fig. 3. The cutter die |30 is detachably secured to an upper portion |32 of the cutter head by a flange |33 secured to an' inner flange of the upper head portion |32 by the bolts |20. The cutter head is spring pressed from the supporting bars |2| by compression springs |34 encompassing bolts |23 and being interposed'between the bars and an adjusting nut |35 on the bolts. Thus, the crosshead |20 may continue downward after the cutter head has reached its lowered position, with the springs being-so tensioned to cause the cutter die to cut the transfer sheet. 'I'he hold down bars ||1 and ||8 are suspended from the flange |33 of the cutter die by upright bolts |35a on said bars being received |35a are compression springs |31 which are interposed between the die flange and the hold down bars to spring press the bars down upon the transfer sheet as the cutter head is lowered.

The transfer applying head |0| comprises an upper guide portion |30 in the form of an arcuate block shaped in accordance with the cutter die,

being guided for reciprocation within the upper part |32 of the cutter head and upon the bottom of which is detachably secured the applicator part |39 by means of bolts |40. The applying head is carried by the central bar |2| of the crosshead |20 by having a pair of upright bolts |4| extended freely through openings |42 in the bar. 'I'he applicator heads are so arranged that after the transfer segments have been cut by the cutter heads |00, the applicator heads continue downward with the crosshead |20 and incident to such movement, grasp or pick up 'the cut transfers and resiliently press them onto the verges of the plates (see Fig. 3), eected by tension springs |43 surrounding each bolt |4| and interposed between the applicator head thereof and the bar |2I. To regulate the pressure oi' the applicator part |39 against the verge of a plate, the-tension of the springs |43 on the bolts |4| carrying same may be regulated by an adjusting nut |44 on each bolt arranged to engage the bottom end of the spring. Also, the dwell period of the applicator on the transfer may be regu-l lated by adjusting a nut |44a provided on the' top end ofthe bolt |4|.

As seen in Fig. 8, the applicator part |39 is On said bolts l provided with-a bottom facing of permeable resilient material |48 in the form of a rubber pad fitted into the cavity |48 or othewise secured to said part, .and provided with very small perforations |41. A perforated metal backing` |48 is provided for the pad and is tted within a shoulder |49 in the cavity |48 of the applicator. The bottom face of the applicator pad |45 is contoured generally to the shape of that portion of sloping verge of the plate to be operated upon, with the exception that it is slightly convexed relative thereto, to first contact the central portion of the transfer with the ware surface, then progressively apply it to the brim to expel all air therebetween, as shown in Fig, 8.

As the applying head Hll is lowered, sub-at mosphere or vacuumv is established in the cavity |48 of the applicator part |39 tov be effective through the perforations of the pad |45 to cause station, four such segments will have been aD- A' plied to the plates to form an annular decoration thereon, with the transfer segments being arranged edge to edge or equally spaced as the case may be, on the verge of the plate and fitting the surface described thereby, which approximates a portion of a cone, as shown in Fig. 12.

After the transfers have been applied to the plates, thel tray carrying same is advanced under one or more water spray nozzles |10. connected with a water supply line |l|, where water is sprayed onto the transfer segments to loosenthe paper backing thereof. Upon the next movement the transfer segment engaged thereby to adhereI thereto, and, as the applicator is raised after having applied the transfer, same is released therefrom by dissipating the vacuum in the head or blowing air under pressure through the cavity of the tray, the plates are brought under one or more nozzles |12 connected with a pressure line |13, where a jet of fluid such as air under pressure steam, etc., is directed over the paper backing of the transfers at an angle' to blow them off the plates. The tray is then advanced through a drying tunnel or chamber |14 for the purpose of evaporating any water remainlng'on the surface of the plates and for thoroughly drying the -fresh- 5| are employed whose service ports are alternately connected with the cavity |46 of the applicator part |39 through the intermediation of a slide valve device 54. 'I'he slide valve device |54 is similar to the valve device 38 (Fig. A15) with like parts or elements being designated by like numerals having prime exponents. Therefore, the port 38 of the valve device |54 connects with the cavity |46 of the applicator part by a iiexible conduit |55 leading therefrom into connection with a passage |58 in the applicator head which opens into said cavity. In this device, the ports 40 and 4|' connect with the service ports of the vacuum pump |50 and pressure pump |5| by conduits |51 and |58, respectively. A throttle valve |59 may be interposed in each conduit |51 and |58 to regulate the amount of vacuum or pressure to be established in the cavity |46 of the applicator part. In the valve device |54, there is only one vent p ort 41 in the valve casing 31' to vent the space below the valve member 44' which is extended to maintain the port 4|' closed when connecting the vacuum pump with the applicator part.

The crosshead |20 carrying the cutting and applying heads is reciprocated by having an adjustable linkage connection with the lower crosshead 54. Said linkage includes a link |60 whose top end is pivotally connected, as at |6|, with an Thus, it will `.be seen that upon each cycle of` operation of the crossheads 54 and |20, the plates on a tray will be lifted off the seats thereof, a segment applied to its verge, and then rotated by the chucks a quarter of ay turn as they are lowered again into their seats'. As this operation is repeated four times while the tray dwells at this ly applied decoration. As the tray is advanced' out of the drying tunnel, they are inverted as they pass around the sprocket 3 at the leaving end of the conveyor, whereupon the plates on the tray will slide out of their tray seats and be deflected onto a Achute |15 which directs them into a conveyorV |16. The Ware is now in-readiness for the -decorating kiln. After the plates are discharged from each tray, the tray is advanced over a water lspray nozzle or nozzles |11 where the trays are washed and any paper pieces remaining thereon washed ofi'. The trays are then advanced onto the lower stretch of the conveyor where they are brought over a series of nozzles |18 which direct y a jet of hot or warm air thereover to thoroughly dry them.

Where the verge of a plate is flat as at 88 in Fig. 13, a circular transfer, for instance a disc, may if desired be cut in one piece and the whole applied to the ware in one'operation. If applied in the form of a ring, the ring would be the same size as the verge of the plate. That is to say the outer circumference of the ring and the inner circumference thereof would be the same as the verge. Obviously, the diameter of the ring may not be exactly equal to the diameter of the verge and it may be of greater or lesser width depending upon the width of the circle of decoration. Whether divided into segments, the transfer would normally be cut to fit a surface describing a ring or a portion thereof lying in a fiat plane.

In the case of disc shaped ware having an inwardly sloping verge, the transfer ring or ring segment is cut tocht a conic surface. Since the transfer is cut from a sheet lying in a at plane, the correct shape of segment must rst be determined before the decoration is printed on the sheet. This factor is also taken into consideration in fashioning the shape of the ycutter slot, the cutter and the decalcomania applicator. Thus, after determining the inner and outer radius of the cone and the angle of its slope, a ringsegment which would fit the cone is laid out on a flat surface, as shown in Fig. 20. It will be noted that when laid out in a at piane,`a complete circle or ring is not formed, see Fig. 20, therefore the remaining portion of the segment must y be divided into sections of equal size, in the present instance, four, in order to t the verge ofthe plate, see Fig. l2. The shape and size of a cutter head, the cutter and the cutter slot will depend to some extent upon the result of these calv culations,

assaut Fig. 411 illustrates lhow four different decorative designs of different size can be applied to theA f vergetof a-.disc-like article. The transfers, due

' to the size and location ofthe decoration, may` be arranged in non-abutting. relation but they may allbe applied with the same implement.

shaft coupled to a suitable prime mower, or mo- -tor, not shown. Y'

Asaseen in 6, the conveyor 2 is intermittently advanced in accordance withthe spacing of theV trays thereon by an oscillating lever V|80 15 whose top end is provided with a pawl |8| having-a hooked end |82 adapted for engagement between the bearings |83 of vthe links of .the chains |84 of the conveyor to advance same in onegdirec'tion of movement of the lever.

a cam |88 on a shaft |81 which is driven by the f drive shaft 56 'by having a sprocket wheel |88 thereon connected by a chain |88 with a sprocket wheel lso on the shaft ss. The wheel las is four 25 times thesize of the wheel |80 to cause the lever |80 to advance the conveyor once for four cycles of operation of the shaft 58 and applying apparatus controlled thereby. On the lever |80 is'-a roller |8| for engaging the cam ,|88 and is re- 30 silientlyheld in engagement therewith by a ten. sion spring |82 connected between the lever and the frame. A screw |80a adjustably limits the stroke o'f lever |80 vand consequently the tray.y

The shaft 48 operating the valve device 88 is 35 .driven in uniform timed relation' with and by the cam shaft |8'| by meansof similar sprocket wheels |82a onsaid'shafts and sprocket chain The'. shaft 24 controlling the operation of the 40v `formed arcuately in' conformity with the sides `charging head |4 Ais driven by the shaft 48` by. )means ofv similar sprockets |94 on said .shafts connected by a sprocket chain |85. The shaft 48'- controlling the operationof the valve |84.for the vacuum and pressure system of the applicator 45 head is driven bythe drive shaft 58, with similar sprocket wheels |88 on said shafts connected by'as'procket chain |81. Y. Y

-As seen in Figs. '2 and 5, takeup re'el '88 for the transfer sheet may be driven by' a combina- 50 tion motor and adjustable speed reducer |88 on whose drive shaft |88 is'j a lsprocket wheel' 200 Yconnected by a sprocket chain 28| with a sprocket wheel 202 on ashaft 208 supported in the bearing' 88. The' shaft 208 is detachably connected with 55.`

the takefup reel to drive same. by having thereon a spring pressed clutch'member, 204 connect-f ing with a correlatively formed clutch member -285 on the end of the reel shaft 88a. A suitable friction clutch 208 may be employed on the speed 60' reducer drive shaft |88 to frictionally connect the sprocket wheel 200 therewith. A'. lhe clutch 208 is preferably set to take up all the slack in the sheet when nrst starting to windana as the ron of used' paper increases in diameter. the .clutch 05 -tothe outer edges thereof, as the head is lowered 70 automatically discharged from the conveyorafter to engage a cut transfer segment. In dingthis, the transfer segment will correSpOndi gly pro# gressively engage the face 'ofthe pad ,from the inner edgev to. its outer edge, whereby .wrinkling of the segment will be prevented. This is espe- 75 clally advantageous Ywhere' the pad face is formed` to apply a transfer to the verge of a plate that slopes'considerably'as shown in Fig. 16. As shown in Fig. 16 inlthis form, the applicator part |88 is provided with-a multiple of chambers 208 and 208 spaced apart'over the pad |48 by a partition 2|0. with each'chamber being alternately connected with a vacuum pump |50 and pressure pump lil-by a valve |84.`In this form, however,

the cams 48' of the valves |54 would be so set on the shaft 48' at different positions 'as to cause vacuum to be established in the chambers 208 "and 208 progressively.

In the formshown inv Fig. 2l, there is a central chamber 208' 'and a multiple of outer chambers 208' spaced along the length of the lpad |45' .by partitions 2|0' withl the central and outer cham- `bers connected through separate valves |54 to a vsource of vacuum and pressure. 'It is preferred The 20 lever'islfulcrumed as at |85 and is oscillated by toV operate this applicator in such fashion as to first secure the central portion of the cutout to 'the head and then progressively secure the outer portions, thus allowing the outer portions to move laterally and be secured in rea'djusted position inherent in applying a hat segmentrto a cone.

shaped out of a level surface. l

The invention also contemplates adapting the i tioning pocket A2|| formed to receive andhold a I handled cup 2|2 in-reclining position withthe handle 2|4 ofthe cup positionedin a depression 2|8 in the pocket topre'determined decoration position. In this form, the applicator part |88' is of the cup, and is adapted when lowered to pick up an elongated transfer segment 88' after being' cut, and apply same tothe cup. Y i

Having thus described my invention, what -I i. In an organized machine for 'decorating pottery ware.v and the like, apparatus v for feeding' ware. size applying. apparatusjmeans for conditioning the size preparatory' to the application of decalcomania to theware, decalcomanla transfer cutting and applying apparatus andware conveying 'means having 4vwareseats adapted to receive ware from thefeeding apparatus .andto transl fer the ware toand through. 4size conditioning and .decorating positions as represented by the apparatus .named in predetermined mutual relationship, the v'ware being Vdischarged from the conveying 4means Asubsequent j to iecorating.Y

v 2. In an organized machinefor decorating pottery ware'and the like. apparatus for feeding ware, szefapplyingiapparatus, means for treat-f. ing the size preparatory to the application of decalcomania to the ware.v decalcomania cutting the paper has been washed therefrom.

3. In the ymanufacture of pottery ware, the I m l od of decorating the warewhich comprises i.' g the ware along a line of production, sizf 13 ing the ware at a given station, conditioning the size, positioning the ware in registration with a decalcomania transfer above and to be severed,

the portion of the ware-to be decorated and applying the transfer from this position directly to the ware, washing the transfer paper 4from the ware and then removingthe decorated ware from said line of production.

4. In the manufacture of decorated potteryl ware, the method which comprises moving the ware along a line of production; sizing that portion of the ware to be decorated at a given station and at another station punching out a decalcomania transfer from a connected series thereof above and in registration with the place on the article where said decalcomania is to be applied and from this position applying same to the ware, removing the transfer paper from the ware and thereafter firing the ware.

5. The combination with means for sizing pottery ware and means for washing the paper backing from decalcomania transfersfafter they have been applied thereto of conveying means arranged to transport the ware along a path wherein decalcomania transfers are appliedA thereto, means arranged adjacent the path o f travel of the ware automatically operable to apply transfers to the ware and means for producing relative rotation between the ware and the applying means in order to register different zones of the ware surface with the applying means.

6. The combination with means for sizing pottery ware and means for washing the paper backing from decalcomania transfers after they have been applied thereto of conveying means arranged to transport the ware along a path wherein decalcomania transfers are applied thereto, a strip of uncut decalcomania transfers above the warev and mechanism arranged above the strip, automatically(y operable to hold down the strip. cut out transfers therefrom and apply them to the ware.

7. The combination with means for sizing pottery ware and means for washing the paper backing from decalcomania transfers after theyhave punching out the transfer in registration with esv been applied to the ware of conveying means ars ranged to transport ware along a path wherein decalcomania transfers are applied to the ware, a roll of decalcomania transfers arranged above the path of travel of the ware, mechanism automatically operable to cut several transfers from the strip at once and apply them to several pieces of Ware.

' 8. In apparatus for applying decalcomania to pottery ware and the like, conveying means arranged to transport the ware along a path wherein the ware is sized and decalcomania transfers applied thereto, meanc arranged above -the path of travel of the ware operable to size the ware and cut out transfers and apply them to the ware and means for synchronizing the operation of the 14 ing mechanism when the ware is brought into register therewith by said conveying means and meansA for synchronizing the operation of the mechanism with the operation of the conveying means.

10.-In Vapparatus for applying decalcomania to pottery ware and the like, intermittently movable conveying means arranged to transport the ware along'a path wherein the ware is sized and de- I calcomania transfers applied thereto, means arranged above the path of travel of the ware operable to size the ware and apply decalcomania transfers to sized ware between movements of the conveyor, means for washing oil' the transfer paper after the decalcomania has adhered to the ware and means for initiating the operation of said sizing and decalcomania applying mechanism when the ware is brought into register therewith by said conveying means. y

11.l In apparatus for applying decalcomania to pottery ware and the like, intermittently movable conveying means `arranged to transport the ware along a path wherein the ware is sized and decalcomania transfers applied thereto, a feeder for-loading the ware on to the conveyor, means arranged above the path of travel of the ware, operable to size the ware and to apply transfers to the sized ware between movements of the conveyor, means for washing oil.' the transfer paper from the ware after the decalcomania has become aillxed to the ware and means for initiating the operation of said sizing and decalcomanla applying mechanism when the ware is brought into reg- I ister therewith by said conveying means.

12. In apparatus for applying decalcomania to pottery ware and the like, intermittently movable conveying means arranged to transport the ware along a path wherein the ware receives decalcomania decoration, means operable to feed pieces of ware in succession to the conveying means. mechanism arranged above the path of travel of the ware operable to cut transfers and apply them to the ware and means for receiving decorated ware from the conveying means and carrying it away. f j

1,3. The combination with a conveyor provided with spaced recesses for receiving ware to be decorated of means for moving said conveyor to y index said recessesv from station' to station, a plulast named means with the operation of the conf.

veying means.

"9. In apparatus for applying decalcomania to pottery ware and the like, conveying means arranged to transport the ware along a path wherein the ware is sized and decalcomania transfers applied thereto, mechanism arranged above the path of travel of the ware, operable to size and apply decalcomania transfers to the ware, means operable to remove the paper backingA from the decalcomania after the decalcomania has been, applied tothe ware and means for initiating the operation of said sizing and decalcomania applyrality of ware supports 'below said conveyor, means for sizing ware. at one o f said stations, means for applying decalcomania transfers to said ware at another of said stations, and means for relatively moving the ware supports and said applying means when recesses are in register therewith to effect a decoration applying operation on said ware.

14. The combination with a conveyor providedv with spaced recesses for receiving ware to be decorated of means for moving said conveyor to index sald recesses from station to. station, a ware support below said conveyor, means for sizing the ware. at one of said stations, means for applying decalcomania transfers to said ware at another of said stations, means for washing the paper backing from said transfer at another station. and means for relatively moving the ware supcutting out and 'applying decalcomania transfers to said ware at another of said stations and means for moving said last named means to effect decoration applying Operation when a. recess is in register therewith and with saidV -ware support. Y

17. The combination with a conveyor provided x with spaced recesses for receiving ware to be decorated of means for' moving said conveyor to index said recesses from station to station, Jsize applying means at another of said stations ineluding means for indexing decalcomania transfers with ware therebelow, a ware lifter belowsaid decoration applying means and means operable to relatively move said decoration applying means and lifter when a recess is in register therewith to effect a decoration applying operation.

18. 'I'he combination with a conveyor provided with spaced recesses for receiving ware to be decorated of means for moving said conveyci; to

- index said recesses from station to station, size applying means at one of said stations, ware washing means at another of said stations, and

30 Number l 16 i A decoration applying means at another of said stations including means for `indexing decalcomania transfers with ware therebelow and\means\ for applying said transfers to the ware, and means for relatively moving the decoration applying means and the ware to eilect a decoration applying operation when a recess is inV register with said decoration applying means. l

-19. In apparatus for decorating disc-shaped fired pottery ware and the like, means for conveying the ware in several parallel rows to -a 'decoratingV position, a plurality of decalcomania transfer cutters arranged above ithe ware.- a sheet of transfer bearing material arranged to be cut by the cutters and having the decalcomania decorations arranged thereon in parallel rows, each row being intended for a given line of ware, an applicator associated with each cutter and means for synchronously actuating the cutter, conveying means and applicators so as to decorate several f pieces of ware simultaneously andthe ware in each row in successive order.

WILLIAM J. MILLER.

REFEBECES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENrs' Name y Date Bogaty et al. May 2, 1922 Gray Mar. 9, 1937 Simmons July 18, 1939 `Orswell Dec. 15, 1942 

